asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of the very unsatisfactory nature of the telephone service in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim; that in some cases there is a delay of over half an hour in placing calls between towns in the counties; and that in some instances there is a waiting period of over an hour to obtain a trunk call to Dublin; and if he will have the matter investigated with a view to effecting an immediate improvement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon-Leitrim Telephone Service.
36.
I am aware that owing to shortage of circuits on some routes delay arises on telephone calls within and between places in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim and also on calls to Dublin. Additional circuits for routes serving Counties Roscommon and Leitrim have been planned. In many cases the work is due to be completed shortly and should effect a noticeable improvement in the position.
That is very gratifying. Would the Minister come a little further and tell me what he means by "shortly"? Does that mean before next August?
I should have to go through the list of exchanges I have here to give the Deputy the full answer I should like to give him. In some cases, the circuits will be provided within the next few months, that is, in the Carrick-on-Shannon-Boyle area. Some of the calls are routed through Mullingar and some through Sligo, but in most cases additional circuits will be provided in the next two months. Then there is the case of Manorhamilton in which relief will be given by the installation of carrier equipment. This equipment was ordered two years ago and is not yet available, and in this case it will be about 12 months before the situation is remedied in that exchange area.
I accept that part of the Minister's reply. On the matter of routing calls through Mullingar, for instance, is the Minister aware that a call from Roscommon to Carrick-on-Shannon has to go through Mullingar and then back to Carrick-on-Shannon and vice versa? In the context of the Minister's reply, is it proposed to alter the routing of these calls in the new plan?
There is no decision about changing the routing of calls at the moment but the Deputy is aware that automatic working is due to be completed in Roscommon town at the end of this year and I would not be able to give the Deputy any indication of what changes will be made in the routing of calls when automatic working is in operation.
But the changes the Minister has referred to under the present system will improve the service between Carrick-on-Shannon and other towns in Roscommon and Leitrim?
Yes. I expect the new circuits, when installed, will almost solve the difficulty.
Will Roscommon get the same type of machinery as is installed in Kildare?
I should have to get notice of that question.
God help them if they do.
It could not be any worse.
Smoke signals are better than the service in Kildare.